George Floyd memorial service held in US city of Minneapolis

A memorial service has been held honouring George Floyd - the Black man whose death in police custody sparked protests across the US and around the world.

Floyd was celebrated by civil rights icons and family members in an emotional ceremony in Minneapolis - the city where he died.

• It's the 10th consecutive night of protests across the United States after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed in police custody.
• The Rev. Al Sharpton denounced racism and called for accountability in a eulogy for Floyd on Thursday. The event was the first in a series of memorial services.
• All four former Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd's death have been charged, the Minnesota attorney general announced.Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated, mainly peacefully, across the United States for an eighth night following the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody.
  One of the biggest protests, joined by Floyd's relatives, took place in his hometown of Houston, Texas.
  Many defied curfews in several cities, imposed after violence and looting in some districts on Monday night.
  The Pope has issued a call for racism not to be ignored.
  "We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism," he said. But he also condemned the violence: "Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.
  The Floyd case has reignited deep-seated anger over police killings of black Americans and racism.
  Demonstrators have taken to the streets - not only to express their outrage at the treatment of Mr Floyd - but to condemn police brutality against black Americans more widely.
  There have been calls, and a proposal from a US lawmaker, to end the qualified immunity of police which prevents civil legal action against them. More generally protesters have called for an end to racism and discrimination.
  Traffic was blocked in New York's Manhattan district as protesters ignored a night-time curfew, which had been extended for a week. Video footage showed them surrounding a police van.

  

  Media caption'I'm tired of being afraid': Why Americans are protesting

  In Houston, where Floyd is due to be buried, Mayor Sylvester Turner, told the crowds people should know that he "did not die in vain".
  Big rallies were also held in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Seattle. Minneapolis, where 46-year-old Floyd died, was reported to be relatively calm.
  But in Seattle, Portland and Atlanta there were reports of tear gas being fired.

  What have Floyd's family been saying?

  Sixteen members of George Floyd's family joined the 60,000 protesters for the Houston rally.
  They included sister La Tonya and brother Philonese. A nephew told the crowd: "Don't stop until we get justice for my uncle," the Houston Chronicle reports.

  Image copyrightREUTERS

  Image captionBrother Philonese Floyd with other members of his family at the Houston rally

  At an emotional news conference in Minneapolis, Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd's six-year-old daughter Gianna, said he was a good man.
  Standing with Gianna, she said: "I'm here for my baby and I'm here for George because I want justice for him."
  George Floyd's funeral is due to take place on 9 June in Houston.

  What has Donald Trump said?

  The president on Wednesday again defended his record on race relations while condemning both "killers, terrorists, arsonists, anarchists, thugs, hoodlums, looters" and the coverage in much of the media.
  He posted tweets saying his presidency had done more for black Americans than presidential rival Joe Biden had done "in 43 years".
• In central Washington DC police fired tear gas after darkness. The military were again on the streets of the capital and helicopters hovered above protesters marching towards the White House.